Effect of Mallotus Phillipensis Flower Extracts against the Third Stage Larvae of Haemonchus contortus

The anthelmintic activity of methanolic, aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of flower of Mallotus phillipensis was assessed invitro using larvicidal activity on L3 stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Phytochemical analysis was done using standard techniques and the acute oral toxicity of the extracts were studied in rats as per OECD guidelines 420. Freshly collected faeces from infected goats were cultured using modified Veglia’s method and the larvae were collected after 12 days for performing larvicidal activity. Extracts were diluted using distilled water to provide final concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/ml and Albendazole and ivermectin served as positive control whereas distilled water served as negative control. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolics, tannins and saponins in all extracts and the effect of the extracts could be due to these components. The methanolic extract caused death of larvae even at 6.25 mg/ml whereas the aqueous extract showed activity only at 50 mg/ml. The larvae showed initial increase in wriggling movements and then showed contractions and death. None of the extracts showed any toxicity reaction during the entire 14 days of observation. From the study it could be found that the methanolic extract of flower of Mallotus phillipensis possess potent anthelmintic property and the isolation of molecule from the same can lead to the synthesis of a novel anthelmintic.